James Beard Foundation

Searsucker Scottsdale's Steven "Chops" Smith Headed to James Beard Awards: Here's What's on the Menu

Following in the contrail of Crudo chef Cullen Campbell, another Phoenix chef is headed to New York City for some James Beard culinary fun: Steven "Chops" Smith of Searsucker Scottsdale. See also: - Kevin Binkley, Searsucker, and Short Leash Hot Dogs Among Winners of the 2013 Foodist Awards - The 2 ... More >>

Two Scottsdale Restaurants Make OpenTable's List of Top 100 Hot Spots

When you're hot you're hot. And when you're the hottest restaurant in town, people take notice. See also: - Chou's Kitchen Makes Travel Leisure's List of Best Chinese Restaurants in the U.S. - Chef Kevin Binkley a Finalist for James Beard Award At least, that's what OpenTable did. The online res ... More >>

Mark Tarbell, Beau MacMillan, and Barbara Fenzl to Team Up with Childsplay on April 13

A "Recipe for Disaster Dinner" doesn't exactly sound like the kind of thing with which Mark Tarbell, Iron Chef winner Beau MacMillan, or Southwestern-cuisine guru Barbara Fenzl would be associated. But the trio of powerhouse chefs won't be in the kitchen for the Childsplay event -- ironically, the ... More >>

Cullen Campbell's Crudo to Host a Late-Night Pop-Up Pizza Party

He may be cooking at the James Beard Award House in April, but Cullen Campbell, chef-owner of Crudo, his modern Italian restaurant in East Phoenix, still likes to party -- pizza party, that is. See also: - Crudo Chef Cullen Campbell Invited to Cook at the James Beard House - 11 Best Pizza Spots in ... More >>

Friends of the James Beard Benefit Dinner Last Night in Scottsdale

If you've ever wondered why chefs do what they do, look no further than a kitchen on a night like last night to find the answer. They say it takes a village to raise a child, but it takes an army of chefs to put on a James Beard-worthy meal -- and they have a whole lot fun doing it. See also: - ... More >>

Celebrity Chef Charity Dinner at Praying Monk in Scottsdale on March 10

Under normal circumstances, we'd have to log quite a few miles in order to enjoy plates created by Aaron May, Christopher Gross, Matt Carter, and Josh Herbert in one night. And that's assuming we'd be able to stuff ourselves with that much food. It won't be a problem, however, on March 10 when the ... More >>

Maple-Rye Crème Brûlée at Market Street Kitchen

While it's true that Market Street Kitchen at DC Ranch is best classified as a neighborhood restaurant, it's a neighborhood restaurant aimed at a pretty sophisticated audience. See also: Rich Heider Whips Up Heavenly Hot Chocolate Cocktails at Market Street Kitchen How else to explain a legit c ... More >>

OpenTable Announces 100 Best Restaurants in America: Arizona Nabs Four, Chicago Gets Zip (Wait, What?)

Open Table, the online restaurant reservations provider, has released its 2012 Diners Choice Award winners for the Top 100 best restaurants in the United States. And while its thumbs up for four Arizona venues, one of the country's top food cities, Chicago, doesn't get a single restaurant mention. ... More >>

Lynne Rossetto Kasper Dishes on a Caller Who Cooked a Turkey in Hot Tar and Being a Reluctant Rock Star

Lynne Rossetto Kasper -- longtime host of NPR's James Beard Award-winning The Splendid Table -- was in town over the weekend to help KJZZ with its pledge drive. When I mentioned to four different friends that I was interviewing her, I got the same excited (and clearly envious) response every time: ... More >>

Cullen Campbell Dishes on the Food Network Star That Pumped Him Up and His Favorite Local Dishes

This is part two of my interview with Cullen Campbell, chef-owner of Crudo. If you missed part one, where Campbell dishes about the catch-phrase he thinks is pointless and explains how he under-estimated his customers. See also: -- Pete DeRuvo Dishes on the Phenomenal Chef Phoenix Lost to NYC and ... More >>

Mini Chocolate Lava Lamps and More Desserts at Binkley's Restaurant

If you have your ears (or, er, tongues) open in the Phoenix food scene, Binkley's Restaurant needs no introduction. Chef and owner Kevin Binkley has been nominated for the James Beard Foundation's Best Chef Southwest for several years in a row, and this year he was named as a finalist. To those who ... More >>

Is Barrio Cafe's Take on Mexican Food Authentic? And Does It Matter?

Editor's Note: The final post in our "Eating 16th Street" series about Barrio Cafe has drawn quite a bit of criticism, so when Sharon Salomon -- a Phoenix-based food writer, dietitican, investor in Barrio Cafe and one of chef Silvana Salcido Esparza's culinary school instructors -- asked to write a ... More >>

Barrio Cafe: Good -- But Glorified -- Mexican Food

Hey, readers, get ready. We're putting new meaning into the term "street food." For Chow Bella's latest mission -- "Eating 16th Street" -- we've employed a young woman who's literally eaten her way around the world. Alex Rodriguez has eaten borscht in Moscow, steak in Buenos Aires and a "life-changi ... More >>

Chris Bianco Writing Pizza Cookbook with Local-Food Movement Guru Gary Nabhan

See also: Pizzeria Bianco Makes Food & WIne's 25 Best Spots for Pizza in America See also: Behind the Design of Pizzeria Bianco, Italian Restaurant and Pane Bianco with Chris Bianco Word's been out for a while that Chris Bianco's writing a book -- but Chow Bella just got the scoop on his co-author: ... More >>

Beau MacMillan Stars in New Game Show "Beat the Chefs," Premiering Thursday, August 23rd

See also: Beau MacMillan To Appear On Premiere of Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Made Beau Mac -- executive chef of Elements at Sanctuary Resort -- is our local celeb-chef and certifiably famous TV star, the high-energy, fast-talking BoSox buff who's truly in his element on the small screen. ... More >>

Fox Restaurant Concepts Moving Headquarters to Arcadia; New Digs Will House a Restaurant As Well

See also: Fox Restaurant Concepts Planning to Open a (Shh...) on Camelback Road In April, when I asked Fox Restaurant Concepts, the company headed up by restaurateur and 2012 James Beard Award semifinalist Sam Fox, to respond to a rumor I'd heard about them leasing some land on Camelback Road, a re ... More >>

Bring Back Mary Elaine's! And Get Me a Purse Stool!

See also: Kevin Binkley Stiffed at James Beard Awards See also: J&G Steakhouse to Replace Mary Elaine's Maybe this whole belt-tightening thing is getting to me. I suppose some pop psychologist would say I have Frugality Fatigue. Whatever the reason, it's occurred to me in recent months that I sore ... More >>

53: Vincent Guerithault

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

Lucky Peach Looks Good Enough to Eat: See What's Inside Issue 4

There's food porn, and then there's Lucky Peach. The quarterly journal of food and writing reaches above and beyond the primitive salivatory satisfaction provided by last night's dozen-course dinner of Instagram meal pics, adding a hefty helping of intellectualism to our dirty diets of food oggling. ... More >>

65: Mark Tarbell

From now 'til we publish the 2012 edition of Best of Phoenix, New Times and Chow Bella present 100 Tastemakers -- Valley residents who make the cut in our culinary scene. Some you'll know; for others, it'll be a first introduction (but likely not the last). While you're here, check out our 100 Creat ... More >>

Here's a Sneak Peek at the Menu for Cafe Bink's New Weekend Brunch (Starting This Weekend)

For those who would classify themselves in the "need amazing brunch, will travel" set, saddle up those mimosa glasses and head for Carefree. Cafe Bink, the accessible and affordable sister restaurant to Binkley's, from chef-owner and 2012 James Beard Foundation Award finalist Kevin Binkley, has anno ... More >>

Taste the World While Never Leaving the Valley

$10 Lunch at The Fry Bread House, James Beard Award Winner

​ The Fry Bread House jumped to the top of Valley eaters' to-do lists when, just two weeks ago, it won a coveted James Beard award in the America's Classics category (just one of five awarded for 2012, and the second ever in the Valley). The award honors family restaurants across America that have ... More >>

Fry Bread House Nabs James Beard Award

Today, the James Beard Foundation, the New York-based national nonprofit organization and undisputed standard of excellence when it comes to giving props to the culinary world, announced Fry Bread House as one of five winners of its 2012 America's Classics award, which honors legendary family-owned ... More >>

This Week's Tastiest Links!

​- The chimichanga as our official state food? Macayo's says yes. I say no. - Chow Bella - The James Beard Foundation announces its semifinalists for the 2012 JBF Restaurant and Chefs Awards. Let's hear it for Valley love! - Chow Bella - Think coffee-cup rings are boring? Artist Hong Yi begs ... More >>

Blood, Bones and Butter Author Gabrielle Hamilton Chats with Chow Bella Book Club

We got a chance this weekend to chat by phone with chef and author Blood, Bones and Butter. She'd just touched down in Louisville, Kentucky, in the middle of both the country and her book tour for the recently released paperback version of the book. This Thursday she'll be in Tempe at Changing Han ... More >>

Ten Food Trend Predictions for 2012

​ Just about everybody is offering up their predictions for the food trends of 2012. Trends come and go in a flash sometimes, especially in this era of social media. While no one will know for sure what will take off, Chow Bella toss out our two cents to this food trend list trend.  Here's ... More >>

Crepas de Cajeta at Barrio Cafe

It's tough to pick just one from the four desserts that Barrio Café offers, but after much debate, we landed on Crepas de Cajeta, crepes with goat milk caramel and vanilla bean ice cream. This may sound like a simple treat, but these flavors will wow your taste buds.

Serious Eats Gives Some Serious Shout-Outs to Valley Favorites in New Book

Ed Levine and the Serious Eats team.​This week, Serious Eats, the website and blog created by food critic and author Ed Levine and winner of two James Beard awards, released its first publication entitled, "Serious Eats: A Comprehensive Guide to Making and Eating Delicious Food Wherever You Ar ... More >>

The Five Most Disgusting Foods in the World

​From bugs to dirt to rotten animal parts, there sure are plenty of disgusting things to eat out there. You may think you've seen it all but we've complied a list of what we believe to be the five most disgusting, truly gut-wrenching, make-you-throw-up-in-your-mouth-a-little foods from all over th ... More >>

Robert McGrath Joins Spotted Donkey Cantina as Executive Chef

​After leaving Renegade Canteen earlier this month, it looks like ​James Beard award-winning chef and former owner of Roaring Fork Robert McGrath has already landed a new gig: as executive chef of the Spotted Donkey Cantina, the upscale restaurant of Southwestern and Mexican cuisine at Hayde ... More >>

Chef Christopher Gross to Host Wine Dinner at Christopher's and Crush Lounge

​Looks like some busy days ahead for Christopher Gross, chef and owner of Christopher's and Crush Lounge in Central Phoenix. In addition to his ongoing participation in helping to overhaul the Wrigley Mansion and participating in Arizona Restaurant Week, the James Beard Award-winner is also h ... More >>

Bob's Big Burger from Renegade Canteen

​Last year we marked the hundred day countdown to Best of Phoenix by sharing our 100 Favorite Dishes with you. Now we're back - with the 2011 edition. Have a suggestion for a dish you'd like us to try? Leave it in the comments section or email laura.hahnefeld@newtimes.com. 47: Bob's Big Burge ... More >>

Edible Phoenix Company Nabs James Beard Award

Local foodies and chefs -- from other cities -- are anxiously awaiting tonight's announcement of the 2011 James Beard award winners in the restaurant and chef categories. Arizona restaurants and chefs were shut out on the list of nominees. But Phoenix did have a brush with stardom at ... More >>

Spring Training Eats: North Scottsdale

The D-Backs and Rockies now call Salt River Field home, at least for spring training.​Peanuts and Cracker Jacks? Uh, sorry, but even the most hardcore baseball fan will eventually get fed up with all the ballpark junk food and start looking for a real meal. Where to go for some good grub ... More >>

Noca's Chris Curtiss Up for People's Best New Chef in Food Wine Poll

​A slew of chefs have been nominated for the Southwest category of Food Wine magazine's new The People's Best New Chef contest -- ten in all, from Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and Texas -- but there's only one representing our great state: Chris Curtiss, executive chef of Noca. It's not ... More >>

Pane Bianco Opens for Dinner Service

Pane Bianco, the Italian sandwich take-out shop owned by James Beard Award-winning pizzaiolo Chris Bianco, now serves a full dinner menu from 4 to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.  "We wanted to expand the experience at Pane, with iconic dishes from my childhood," Bianco says. The rest ... More >>

Renegade Canteen Launches Weekend Brunch

​Doesn't a hearty brunch just seem like something a Southwestern restaurant should just own? Apparently chef Robert McGrath -- being the Valley's foremost authority on Southwestern flavors, thanks to that James Beard Award -- agrees, and has just added brunch service to the offerings at Rene ... More >>

Litchfield's Set to Open Friday at The Wigwam

Litchfield's Talus Wind lamb rack.​Head West, dear foodie!Jerry Colangelo's $7 million renovation of The Wigwam -- the historic luxury resort in the West Valley -- is finally coming to fruition with all-new dining options, including a new farm-to-table concept that James Beard Award winner Ch ... More >>

Chris Bianco Buys Out Business Partner in Pizzeria Bianco

Pizzeria Bianco co-owner Susan Pool has parted ways with the restaurant.​After a 16-year business partnership, James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Bianco is parting ways with Susan Pool, who's been a front-of-the-house fixture at the popular downtown eatery. "I'm taking over the ownership ... More >>

Make Tamales With Barrio Cafe Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza

​Better start thinking about the holidays, people. Now that the Halloween hangovers are starting to fade, there's work to be done, shopping lists to be made, and a whole lot of food to be devoured between now and New Year's. Barrio Cafe chef Silvana Salcido Esparza's offering a heck of a hot ... More >>

Chef Announced For New Eatery to Replace Red's Steakhouse at the Wigwam

​After recently celebrating its 80th anniversary, the Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa is undergoing a $7 million rejuvenation that includes a new signature restaurant to replace Red's Steakhouse. Brian Cooper (former exec sous chef at Lon's and sous chef at T. Cook's) returns to the Val ... More >>

Christopher Gross of Christopher's Restaurant & Crush Lounge

Chef Christopher Gross of Christopher's Restaurant and Crush Lounge understandably asks journalist to call him Chef Christopher rather than Chef Gross: "I guess it's not the best last name for a chef," he says. Today he tells us about how he dodged the bullet of school lunch, the ensuing panic after ... More >>

Dear Top Chef: Just Desserts, Please Kick Ass in TV's Pastry Playground, Start With Warring Cupcakes

​On Wednesday, September 15, at 11 p.m. ET/PT, Bravo will launch Top Chef: Just Desserts, spin-off of the 2010 Primetime Emmy-nominated and James Beard Award-winning Top Chef. "Pastry chefs have a different brain than savory chefs," says the show's host and judge of Top Chef for the past seven se ... More >>

Marcellino Verzino of Marcellino's Ristorante, Part One

Photo courtesy of Marcellino Verzino.​Chef Marcellino Verzino is anything but average. While he's one of the best known Italian chefs in the state, his reputation extends across the world. Hailing from Italy, the cuisine featured at his restaurant, Marcellino Ristorante pays respect to the s ... More >>

Now Open in North Scottsdale: Renegade Canteen

​Multiple delays and a big-name chef have made Renegade Canteen one of this year's most highly anticipated restaurant debuts, and now tonight's the night when fans of chef Robert McGrath can once again get their fill of his distinctive American Western cooking. The James Beard Award wi ... More >>

Chef Michael Mina starts the local conspicuous consumption trend with Bourbon Steak

Over Easy isn't a revolutionary breakfast spot, but it'll treat your hangover

Jewel in the Desert

Oh, Kai

Valley diners to get taste of something Wilder